Reading Political Philosophy: From Machiavelli to Mill - Audio

by The Open University

To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to iTunes U collections.

Description

The history and development of political philosophy has been dominated by many inspirational and radical thinkers. The tracks on this album offer both an introduction and an in-depth insight into the leading theorists in this field and their most important works. In a series of lively and invigorating discussions, leading political philosophers examine canonical texts and seminal thinkers from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century, highlighting their intellectual and cultural impact and the context in which the texts were originally written. This material forms part of The Open University course AA311: Reading political philosophy, from Machiavelli to Mill.

A wide-ranging discussion of Locke using the Second Treatise as a starting point. Locke’s relationship to liberalism and modern liberal theory is analysed, as well as his relationship to the ‘state of nature’ debate.

Transcript -- A wide-ranging discussion of Locke using the Second Treatise as a starting point. Locke’s relationship to liberalism and modern liberal theory is analysed, as well as his relationship to the ‘state of nature’ debate.

Rousseau and his opinions on liberty are discussed with particular reference to his seminal 1755 text Discourse on Inequality. A wide number of topics including sovereignty, legislators and social choice, is broached.

Transcript -- Rousseau and his opinions on liberty are discussed with particular reference to his seminal 1755 text Discourse on Inequality. A wide number of topics including sovereignty, legislators and social choice, is broached.

This discussion focuses on the concept of production and labour in Marx’s writings, and the way in which they highlight aspects of fundamental historical materialism, formal equality and the relationship between the state and the individual.

Transcript -- This discussion focuses on the concept of production and labour in Marx’s writings, and the way in which they highlight aspects of fundamental historical materialism, formal equality and the relationship between the state and the individua

The German Ideology, Marx and Engels’ 1845 book, is dissected and discussed. The discussion highlights the importance of the book in terms of Marx and the development of his theory of history, the inevitabilities in history, and rights as a moral truth.

Transcript -- The German Ideology, Marx and Engels’ 1845 book, is dissected and discussed. The discussion highlights the importance of the book in terms of Marx and the development of his theory of history, the inevitabilities in history, and rights as

This discussion focuses on a feminist reading of Mill, concentrating particularly on his treatise On the Subjection of Women and its relevance to 19th Century society and culture. Mill’s precarious position as an early feminist is discussed in depth.

Transcript -- This discussion focuses on a feminist reading of Mill, concentrating particularly on his treatise On the Subjection of Women and its relevance to 19th Century society and culture. Mill’s precarious position as an early feminist is discusse